Help completing vinyl front end.

Considering how much you put into the phono stage, my guess is that one of the more expensive cartridge would be in order. You should try to demo as many as possible, since they all sound great, but they also all sound different!

As far as 'tables are concerned, I really feel that you can do much better than the HW-19s. In general, the fit and finish of VPI products leaves something to be desired. I recently replaced a JMW10 and an HW-19 with a Kuzma 'table. The difference in quality is evident both in the finish and in the sound. The Kuzma is so much quieter, and SO much better looking! The VPIs, to me, look like something a non-engineering type person would come up with. The Basis 'tables are so obviously better in the same ways as the Kuzmas.

Good luck, and keep it fun!

i like all the 'tables mentioned above, but for the money, i tink the oracle is the best deal going - fantastic performance, fantastic appearance. perhaps i mite trade mine on a jc verdier - if i win the lottery, or something! :>) meantime, my turntable-shopping days are over.

there was a mk-ll version f/s cheap on audioreview recently; update it to mkv, along w/an ol motor/power-supply, & use the money saved for a spendy cartridge...

also, nuttin' wrong w/buyin' a used cartridge, if ewe can trust the seller, imho - perhaps best to stick w/a dealer?

good luck, doug

I have to second Cornfed, I've settled on a Basis table and am quite happy. Extremely well built, simple yet elegant and fabulous sonics. Something like the 2000 or 2001 would leave room for an outstanding cart choice and still allow you remain within your chosen budget limitations.

Thanks for all the recommendations. OK, so I'll stay away from used cartridges and I'll expand my budget to $4500. Rather than the VPI TNT, I'm going to keep an eye out for used Basis and Oracle V tables. Does anyone know whether the JMW 10 will fit on either of these tables or should I sell it now?

metaphysics, it mite be hard to find a used oracle mk-v, cuz they're relatively recent, but all the earlier wersions are fully updateable.

re: tonearms, that jmw is supposed to be an excellent arm - i'd keep it. can't imagine why it wouldn't fit on either of these 'tables ewe mention. i know i've heard of *both* 'tables, w/a myriad of arm combo's.

again, re: cartridges - here's a lone woice in the wilderness recommending a used/demo cartridge, especially from a dealer.

good luck, doug